Do reptiles have bonds with thier owners?

S

Steven210

Guest
Everyone knows that mammals (dogs, cats, pigs, horses etc...) and humans can develop strong bonds of affection. Some protect their owners and trust them as if they were the same species. Do you think reptiles develop bonds with their owners?? Or do they simply just associate you with food and just tolerate being handled? I have never heard of a reptile exhibiting a bond or sense of loyalty. Dont get me wrong, I think reptiles are some of the most cunning and smartest animals on the planet. I recently got a juvenile leopard gecko 4 weeks ago and a juvenile albino corn snake 3 days ago. My gecko is absolutely terrified of me and hates being touched. My corn snake on the other hand lets me cup her in my hands and hold her and hasn't bit me yet. I love my two reptiles so much and enjoy taking care of them and watching them feed (even though I havent fed my snake yet tomorrow will be her first feeding!) But anyway what im trying to say is... Do you think your pet reptile recognizes you more than anyone else?? or your just the hand that feeds them and simply tolerates you
 

nats

New Member
Messages
1,553
Location
Maryland
As much as we would like to believe otherwise, no. Reptiles are
only able to make very basic associations of behaviour, they can
not "bond" with a human.
 
F

Foreverandever

Guest
It would be cool if they did but I don't think they have the intellect to do so. Not saying they are "dumb"...well you know what I mean...I guess. Haha...
 
T

tpotter

Guest
i think they can just recognize danger or not, not really develop too much compassion but rather just get used to it
 

VampyricAngelX

New Member
Messages
785
Location
Maryland
I think they come to recognize you as a source of food and end up trusting you if you handle them enough but I don't think they bond with their owners like a cat or a dog would. I do know my geckos will come to my hand alot of the time when I put in in their tank and completely ignored my boyfriend's, so I'm guessing they can remember the "scent" of whoever handles them on a daily basis.
 

Lena

I question all things.
Messages
1,073
Location
Pennsylvania
I think they learn and are conditioned to trust humans.

..I think that's as far as it goes, though. They don't possess the emotional capacity.

I just read, however, that reptiles do have basic emotions such as fear, curiosity, and even loneliness. I just don't think it's on a level quite as high as that of a dog or cat.

And consider that most reptiles are not social animals in the slightest, so why would they need to be able to "bond"?
 
Last edited:

BettaDragon

New Member
Messages
507
Location
NJ
Two of mine seem to only trust me and me alone for the most part. They've been known to bite other people unprovoked but they never do that to me. I have one that has bitten my step dad every time he puts his hand in the tank ever since he once put him in a two small mason jar while cleaning the cage when I was away at camp. My other seeks attention like crazy and will claw at the glass when she wants to be held. She may just be addicted to the body warmth of people though. I do think they make good associations with things. If there's a bond, I don't know. My one girl seems like she has a bond with me at times but I know she could just associate me with warmth, food, and attention.
 

Bodon

Active Member
Messages
1,516
Location
PA
I say they can, sure it might be a food and heat thing, but if they can see me as that, well its better than a pet rock.
 

thestack510

Rest In Peace jmlslayer
Messages
3,177
Location
The S.F. Bay Area, California, U.S.A.
Judging by the way that my Leos love to be out and about and will just be mellow and not run for it I'd say that they are capable of recognition, I don't think it's so much an emotional bond (for them) as it is association with something they want.
 

Alusdra

New Member
Messages
475
Location
Washington, DC
They can definitely recognize individuals- all mine are very calm when I handle them, but explore and lick more when being held by someone else. And I had a gecko who was my best bud when I was younger and she would respond to her name and come to you when called and solicited chin rubs. I don't handle my current guys as much as that, so they aren't as affectionate.

But I think it's fallacious to say that geckos 'simply don't have the capacity' for feelings. People used to say that babies didn't feel pain, that animals were merely automatons... but recently it's been found that even fish feel pain (rather than just respond to noxious stimulus by moving away). Any 'it's just an animal/reptile' sentiments are likely remnants of the 'humans are better than animals and completely separate' mentality.

That being said, geckos aren't particularly social, so of course they will be less affectionate than a pack animal like a dog. In my experience, though, they are much more affectionate and fun than cats. I'm pretty sure the cat sits on my lap just to steal my food, and possibly for a warm place to sit. I don't really feel that he likes me.
 

Stitchex

New Member
Messages
1,301
Location
Earth
My Leos can tell me apart from others, but a bond? For them at least, all they see me as is their life support, LOL.
 

Gregg M

Registered Member
Messages
3,055
Location
The Rotten Apple NYC
And I had a gecko who was my best bud when I was younger and she would respond to her name and come to you when called and solicited chin rubs.
LOL That never happened... LOL

But I think it's fallacious to say that geckos 'simply don't have the capacity' for feelings.
Its not "fallacious"... It is proven scientific fact...


They do not trust you... That is another thought process that reptiles are not capable of... They lack frontal lobes and othere areas of the brain responsible for thought process, emotional attachment, and other social behaviors... They run and operate on instinctive reflexes... Have you ever seen the brain of a leopard gecko??? It is not much more than a basic brain stem and a primative cerebellum, a tiny optic lobe, an underdeveloped cerebrum, and a pronounced olfactory bulb... Thats right, NO NEOCORTEX!!!
 
Last edited:

nats

New Member
Messages
1,553
Location
Maryland
Yep, I have see pics of lizard brains before.
Not a leopard gecko purse, but I assume it's the same.

They are just a stem, and the areas of the brain which are
responsible for cognitive ability are missing.

They have only what they need to survive in the wild, hunt
for food, and make more geckos :D

I think maybe what folks are misinterpreting as "friendliness"
is actually related to their hunting/stalking behavior.

Leos are, however, able to make associations.
For example, they are able to associate the feeding tongs with
food. I believe this is needed to be an effective hunter in the
wild.
 

nats

New Member
Messages
1,553
Location
Maryland
its better than a pet rock.


LOL!
If they can go from being scarred, and running to hide when
you put your hand in the cage, to climbing on your hand, and
sitting there calm and relaxed as you are petting it, that's
enough to prove that they can make the association, and hence,
be tamed. :main_yes:
So yes, better than a "pet rock"! :main_thumbsup:
 
L

lizardlove

Guest
Yeah, I think she tolerates me because I feed her. I definitely see curiosity, every so often she'll stare at my face like, 'Quoi?' (She's a French leo, apparently...) :D But when I pick up the tweezers I use to feed her her worms she'll follow it with her eyes, try and get at it through the glass, etc. I'm pretty sure she doesn't love me, but loves that I feed her. Which is fine! I'm not picky.
 

Gregg M

Registered Member
Messages
3,055
Location
The Rotten Apple NYC
Leos are, however, able to make associations.
For example, they are able to associate the feeding tongs with
food. I believe this is needed to be an effective hunter in the
wild.

I am pretty certain it is recognition more than association... It is not thought process though... They do not know their names nor will they respond to them... It is instinctive reflex to respond to something... Like when you hear a loud, sudden noise, you instinctively go into flight of fight mode... The feeling you get when a balloon is popped when you do not expect it is that mode...

Certain sounds trigger feed responses in animals with even the most underdeveloped brains... Humans are recognized as a food source and part of their landscape... Thats why it seem as though your gecko associates or interacts with you...
 

Visit our friends

Top